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Monday, 3 October 2011

Unlike the previous few days, today is going to be quite a busy one. This afternoon I have a meeting in Central London, after which there is a champagne reception (life is hard when you are retired!) and a formal dinner (I said that life was hard, didn't I!).

Before I go I have quite a few things that need to be done. Firstly I need to sort out my company's payroll as payday is the 5th of the month. This involves checking that the payroll details on the printout from the accountants is correct and then preparing the salary payments to the sole employee – currently my wife – and interim dividend payments to the two shareholders – my wife and I. I then have to ensure that the relevant forms are completed and sent – with a cheque – to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs to pay for the employee's Income Tax and the employee's and employer's National Insurance contributions.

I also have to pay a visit to Barclays Bank to pay some money in and to try to get an appointment to organise a short-term loan to cover the cost of buying my father-in-law his new flat whilst we sell his bungalow. If past experience is anything to go by, this is going to be a long, drawn-out, and ultimately fruitless experience. (‘You may be selling a bungalow with two bedrooms and off-street parking that is worth more than twice the price of the single bedroom flat you are buying … but it is not the bank’s policy to make loans of this sort. We can, however, arrange a mortgage for you that you can pay off over ten years.)

I am also going to try to get the latest issue of THE NUGGET ready to take to the printers. The draft was sent to me by the editor last night, and all I have to do is the check it over, print off the original, and take it to the printer for printing … which would normally be quite an easy job if I wasn’t trying to do the other things as well!

I was also hoping to finish off the latest batch of hills I am making to go with my ‘new’ terrain boards. I had hoped to finish them yesterday, but the good weather (and the fact that my toy/wargames room was as hot as an oven until late last night) made me disinclined to do so.

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The First Rule of Wargaming and the Spirit of the Wargame

The First Rule:

‘Nothing can be done contrary to what could or would be done in actual war.'

- From 'The Rules of the Naval War Game' by Fred T Jane

The Spirit of the Wargame:

‘Wargames are played, for the most part, without the supervision of an umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual players to show consideration for other players and to abide by the rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the wargame.’

- Adapted from 'The Spirit of the Game' in 'The Rules of Golf' as published by the R&A Ltd.

About Me

I have been wargaming for as long as I can remember. One of the first toys that I was bought was a wooden fort that was garrisoned by assorted lead soldiers ... and I have never looked back!
The first wargames book I bought was CHARGE! (although I had taken out [and repeatedly read] Donald Featherstone's WAR GAMES book beforehand [and many thanks to John Curry for republishing it!]).
My first 20mm figures were the good old Airfix Guards Infantry and Band (in shocking pink!), soon followed by others as they were released, and by 1968, when I bought my first metal Hinton Hunt 20mm figures, I had a large collection of World War II figures, tanks, guns, and aircraft.
I was a founder member of WARGAME DEVELOPMENTS and have been the treasurer and membership secretary ever since. I have also organised – along with Tim Gow - the annual conference (COW – Conference of Wargamers) for the past ten years.
My main interests are wargaming any wars from 1850 onwards, although I have a special interest in Colonial, the Spanish Civil War, and World War II wargaming.
I also have a special interest in wargames that use square or hex grids for movement and weapon ranges.